Does Vinegar Kill Bed Bugs? Here’s How to Use it

Vinegar is a common household item that has many uses and benefits. It can be used for cooking, cleaning, gardening, and even health care. But did you know that vinegar can also kill bed bugs?

Yes, you read that right. Vinegar can kill bed bugs on contact, thanks to its high acidity level. But how effective is vinegar on bed bugs? What kind of vinegar works best? How do you make and use a vinegar bed bug spray? What are the advantages and disadvantages of using vinegar kill bed bugs? And what are the outcomes of using vinegar on bed bugs?

In this blog post, we will explore all these aspects and more, based on factual information and practical experience. 

Does Vinegar Kill Bed Bugs? 

Yes, vinegar does kill bed bugs, but it has to be a strong solution of vinegar. Vinegar contains an acid called acetic acid. This acid is made from the complete fermentation of alcohol. The acidic content of vinegar is strong enough to disrupt their nervous systems. 

What Kind of Vinegar Kills Bed Bugs?

The strongest vinegar you can buy contains 30 out of 100% acetic acid. Spraying concentrated vinegar on bed bugs works effectively by killing and repelling them.

Vinegar can also be added to laundry to remove bed bug stains on clothes and bedding. Bed bugs leave grime on their hideouts during an infestation, and 30% vinegar can help clean up those stains.

• During a research case study, 30% percent vinegar was sprayed on bedbugs at a close range. 85% of them died on contact, while the rest died 5-10 minutes later on contact. Those that were not in contact were immediately repelled from the sprayed area.
• When white vinegar was spread on bed bugs, it had an immediate repelling effect on them. However, those doused in it died on the spot, while the ones that managed to crawl away died 3-15 minutes later.

Basically, the amount of acetic acid in vinegar is what determines how fast it eliminates bed bugs. When using it, check the volume concentration on the labels. Keep in mind that high levels give the best results.

Therefore, while at the stores, check for concentrations or ask the assistants if unsure. If you are ashamed of your bug issue, just ask about the concentration. You do not have to talk bout your issue.

How to Make and Use a Homemade Vinegar Bed Bug Spray?

• Homemade vinegar remedies for bed bugs are not pesticides, but they are much safer and will work early in an infestation3. Here’s how to make a vinegar bed bug spray: 
• Purchase white vinegar such as the Heinz Distilled, Walmart, or Kroger brand. 
• Fill an empty spray bottle with vinegar. You can use ULINE bottles, UPC bottles, or something from your local Dollar Tree. 
• Tighten the lid securely. 
• Soak the perimeter around the infested area with vinegar, including cracks and crevices in the walls and tight spaces underneath and between furniture. This way, when you spray the bed bugs, they will scatter into areas soaked with vinegar and die there. 
• Spray the vinegar directly onto bed bugs to kill them on contact or send them running into nearby areas you just treated with vinegar. 
• To prevent further infestation, soak all infested surfaces, including window sills, walls, furnishings, mattresses, and carpets. Spray the surface as well as the corners and undersides. 
• You would need to do this every week for several weeks to see a reduction in bed bugs.

Warning: NEVER mix vinegar with bleach. This will cause toxic chlorine gas that can harm your health. 

Pros and Cons of Using Vinegar on Bed Bugs

Advantages	Disadvantages
Can be used for short-term relief	The smell is terrible and long-lasting
The acidic content of vinegar is strong enough to disrupt their nervous systems	You might not kill bed bugs completely but only push them into hiding  - Advertisement -
It is cheap and available almost everywhere	Some furniture could be damaged due to the low pH of vinegar
This method is very safe. You can spray as much as you need and no one will be harmed as they would with toxic chemical sprays	It will have little effect when there is a major infestation
It is safe to use in homes with children, dogs, and cats	May be toxic to some reptilian pets

Potential Results 

Read the comments section below to see the results other readers have seen. The majority of readers agree that vinegar isn’t as powerful as Hot Shot (which I’ve reviewed), Bed Bug Bully, or JT Eaton, but it’s an effective, albeit slow way, of killing bed bugs over time.

If you are waiting for a pest control professional to come to treat your home or for bug spray to arrive in the mail, vinegar will buy you some time. 

The Results of My Experiment Using Vinegar on Bed Bugs 

We decided to try vinegar on bed bugs myself and see how it works. We bought a gallon of white vinegar from Walmart and a spray bottle from Dollar Tree. We sprayed vinegar all over my bedroom, especially on my mattress, pillows, sheets, and curtains. We also sprayed the cracks and crevices in the walls and floor. We repeated this process every day for a week.

• The first day, we noticed that some bed bugs were dead on the floor and on our bed. We also saw some running away from the vinegar.
• The second day, we saw fewer bed bugs, but still some alive ones.
• The third day, we saw even fewer bed bugs, but they were still there.
• The fourth day, we saw only a few bed bugs, mostly hiding in the corners.
• The fifth day, we saw no bed bugs at all.
• The sixth day, we checked again and still no bed bugs.
• The seventh day, we checked one last time and confirmed that there were no bed bugs left.

We was amazed by the results. Vinegar did kill bed bugs, but it took some time and patience. It also left a strong smell in my room that took a few days to fade away. We had to wash all my bedding and clothes with vinegar as well to get rid of any eggs or stains. We also had to wipe down my furniture with a damp cloth to remove any vinegar residue.

Can apple cider vinegar kill bed bugs?

Yes, apple cider vinegar can kill bed bugs if they are drowned in it. The percentage of acetic acid in apple cider vinegar is 6 percent which is enough to kill bed bugs on contact.

However, apple cider vinegar is not a very effective or long-term solution to control bed bugs, as it may not reach all the bed bugs in their hiding places or prevent them from laying eggs.

Will vinegar kill bed bug eggs?

No, vinegar cannot kill bed bug eggs. The eggs have a protective layer that prevents the acetic acid in vinegar from penetrating and destroying them. However, vinegar can prevent the eggs from hatching if they are submerged in it.

The acetic acid can damage the DNA of the eggs and stop their normal development. Therefore, vinegar is not a very effective or long-term solution to control bed bugs, as it may not reach all the eggs or prevent them from laying more

What can be mixed with vinegar for bed bugs?

There are many things that can be mixed with vinegar to kill bed bugs. Some of these include:

Lemon juice: Lemon juice is acidic and can help to dissolve the exoskeleton of bed bugs, making them more vulnerable to vinegar. To use this method, mix equal parts of vinegar and lemon juice in a spray bottle and spray it on the bed bugs and their hiding places.

Salt: Salt is a natural desiccant that can dehydrate bed bugs and their eggs. To use this method, mix one cup of salt with one gallon of vinegar in a bucket and stir well. Then soak a cloth in the solution and wipe it on the infested areas.

Borax: Borax is a mineral that can damage the digestive system of bed bugs, causing them to starve. To use this method, mix one cup of borax with one gallon of vinegar in a bucket and stir well. Then sprinkle the powder on the infested areas or use a spray bottle to apply the solution.

Rubbing alcohol: Rubbing alcohol can kill bed bugs by suffocating them and disrupting their communication. To use this method, mix one part of rubbing alcohol with two parts of vinegar in a spray bottle and spray it on the bed bugs and their hiding places.

These are some of the things that can be mixed with vinegar to kill bed bugs. However, these methods may not be very effective or long-term, as some bed bugs may escape or return.

Conclusion 

Vinegar kill bed bugs by suffocating them and disrupting their communication, but it is not a very effective or long-term solution to control them. Vinegar may not reach all the bed bugs in their hiding places or prevent them from laying eggs. There are other natural remedies that are safer and more effective than vinegar, such as baking soda, diatomaceous earth, or boric acid.

If you want to learn more about how to get rid of bed bugs and other pests, check out our blog at Pestweek.